Scalp-treatment device



Jan. 4 1927. 1,613,045

W. MEYER s'cALP TREATMEN? DEVICE Filed Apr-i1 192e Patented Jan. 4,1927.

PATENT GFFICE.

WILLIAM MEYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

scam-TREATMENT DEVICE.

Application filed April 3, 1926. Serial No. 99,490.

This invention relates to scalp treatment devices and more particularlyto an electric comb, electrode or brush for electrical treatment of thescalp and hair.

The rake form of electrode madexof glass tubing evacuated of air fortreating the scalp with high frequency currents is well known in theart.

Electrodes of this sort are easily punctured by the current and arefragile and subject to breakage. This is objectionable in that theentire electrode thereupon ceases to function and heretofore repair orpartial replacement, at least conveniently or by the user, has beenimpossible.

Non-vacuum electrodes silvered on the inside to conduct the current tothe points in contact with the scalp have also been provided, but these,while not affected by puncture, are justas fragile and their percentageof breakage is high.

The object of my present invention is the provision of a generallyimproved and simplified device of this sort that may be economicallyproduced and which will be less fragile, not so subject to breakage andadapted for repair or partial replacement quickly7 conveniently andinexpensively from a reserve stock which may be kept on hand.

According to my present invention I provide an all metal or othersuitable conducting material electrode which may be of the rake or anyother suitable or preferred form. The tines of the electrode areenclosed 1n small individual or separate tubes of glass or othersuitable insulating material and the cooperation between these tubes andthe enclosed tinesI is such that the tubes are held firmly in place foruse and at the saine time this` cooperation permits convenientlyslipping or removing thetubes so that in the event one or more of thetubes should be broken they may be replaced quickly, conveniently andinexpensively from a reserve stock of such tubes which may be keptonhand.

The tubes of glass or other insulating inaterial may be made of variouswall thicknesses so as to adapt' the device to bot-h strong and feeblecurrents and the construction and mounting of the tubes upon theelectrode together with the manner of cooperation of the electrode tinestherewith makes the tubes less liable to breakage and at the same timeconveniently replaceable in the event of breakage.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure l is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end View of the electrode withthe tine enclosingtubes in place and one of said tubes in section;

F ig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line 3 3 ofFigure 2 with the connecting stem between the handle contact and theelectrode at the outer end of the stem in elevation; andl y Figure 4 isa detail cross section taken onthe line f-lof Figure 3.

Referring now the drawing, the particular device selected` forillust-ration comprises a handle 5 and an electrode designated lin itsentirety at 6.

The electrode 6 comprises a conducting stem 8 having an enlarged contactor connector head or plug 9 at its inner end' for insertion into andremoval from a contact or connectorl socket 10 mounted in the handle 5.The handle 5 may, as is usually the case, be adapted for use withvarious devices for treating different parts orv giving differenttreatments, the plug 9 of the electrode 6 being sprung into the socketl0 for use and adapted to be removed when not in use or to permit of theuse of adilferent electrode with the handle, as well understood in theart.

The contact socket or connector 10 may comprise a conducting sleevesuitably secured in the recess l2 in the handle 5 as by means of ascrewl. This Contact sleeve is shown as split longitudinally at 14. withslots l5 extending circumferentially from the slot '14, the freedportions of the Vsocket l0 being of sufficient springiness to grasp andhold the plug 9 and to make good contact therewith upon insertion of theelectrode into the handle. The body of the handle 5 may be formed ofsuitable insulating niaterial such as hard rubber, although this may bevaried as desired as the handle, per se, forms no part of the presentinvention.

In the particular deviceshown one polarity of current is connected tothe socket il()v by means of a conductor 16 entering the opposite end ofthe handle 5 and extending longitudinally therethrough and suitablyconnected to the socket member l0. The opposite end of the conductor 16is provided with a single terminal contact 1S tor connection to thedesired source. rIhe other polarity of current is usually appliedthrough an electrode or terminal held in the hand of the personundergoing the treatment, as well understood in the art.

The outer end of the stem 8 is reduced at 2O and mounted upon thisreduced end 20 and held in place as by means oi a nut 2l threadedthereupon is the electrode proper which. in the particular embodimentillustrated, is shown as split at into a pair ot electrode members 24and The 'electrode members 24 and 25 each comprises a metal or othersuitable conducting plate having connecting back portions 26 and aplurality of integral teeth or tines 28. rl`he back portions 26 of theelectrode members 2li and 25 have registering apertures 30 through whichthe reduced end 2() or the stem 8 extends and the members 2e and 25 aresubstantially identical so that when assembled the back portions 26 andLines 28 register as shown. The stem 8 obviously supports the electrodemembers 24 and 25 and forms the connector through which the current issupplied from the handle 5 to the tnes or teeth 28.

Each tine comprising the two or split tine parts is enclosed in arelatively small tube The tubes 35 may be formed ol' glass or othersuitable insulating material and each tube is sealed at its lowered endat 36. The tubes 3.5 may be separate or individual to the separate orindividual tines as shown and each tube is open at its upper end at 38and the tubes are adapted to be slipped readily onto or from therespective tines. They are of the non-vacuum type and therefore notafected by puncture and they are preferably silvered on the inside.

For the purpose or' holding the tubes 35 firmly yet removably in placeupon the tines, the two parts or sides of each tine are shown as bowedapart at 42 in Figures 2, 3 and e. 'Ihe distance between the outer sidesoit the bowed portions 42 preferably exceeds slightly the internaldiameter oi' the tube 3.5 and the springiness ot' the tine portionspermits the tub-e to be slipped on over the bowed portions which aremoved together' slightly thereby and' by their spreading tendencyliictionally engage the interior of the tube 35 and hold the same firmlyin place upon the particular tine with wl'iich the tube is associated.

The formation of the entire electrode of metal or other suitable orconducting material and the manner ot mountingl the sleeves or tubes 35on the fingers or tines thereof provides great strength against breakageand permits the use of individual or separate glass or other insulatingtubes, one i'or each tine or iinger. A reserve stock or these tubes maybe kept on hand and in the event o'l' breakage of one or more of thetubes, they may be replaced quickly, simply and inexpensively.

As already explained, the tubes may be of glass or any other suitably orpreferred insulating material and they may be made n of diti'erent orvarious wall thicknesses so as to be adapted 'for both strong or feeblecurrents. rlhe walls of the tubes 35 may be relatively thick shown tohave relatively great strength against breakage. The inner electrodelingers or tines still further strengthen the tubes and in the event ofbreakage, any tube may be replaced without disabling or replacing theentire device.

In the present device, the connecting stem for insertion into andremoval trom the handle 5 may be of metal and may therefore haverelatively great strength. vWhere the electrode ingers are not split,they could be bumped within their length and provided with sul'licientinherent springiness as in the present embodiment for lirmly holding thesurrounding or enclosing tubes in place.

I do not intend to be limited to the pre cise details shown ordescribed.

I claim 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of anelectrode having a part for cooperation with the scalp and an insulatingtube enclosing said scalp cooperating part, said tube being closed atthe scalp end and open at its opposite end for slipping onto and fromsaid scalp cooperatingv part.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an electrodehaving a part for cooperation with the scalp, an insulating tubeenclosing said scalp cooperating part, said tube being closed at thescalp end and open at its opposite end for slip-ping onto and from saidscalp cooperating part, and means removably holding said tuberon saidpart.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of' an electrodehaving a part Aior cooperation with the scalp, an insulating tubeenclosing said scalp cooperating part, said tube being closed at thescalp end and open at its opposite end for slipping onto and 'from saidscalp cooperating part, andv said scalp cooperating part having springretention means formed thereon 'tor removably holding said tube on saidpart.

4. In combination, an electrode having a plurality of teeth, individualinsulating tubes enclosing said teeth, said tubes being separatelyremovable and means on said teeth for holding said tubes thereon.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination ot an electrode,teeth on said electrode, said teeth being bowed within their length andinsulating tubes slipped upon and enclosing said teeth and held thereonby said bowed portions.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of an electrode,teeth on said electrode, said teeth being split to free the oppositesides thereot1 and said sides being bowed outwardly away from each otherand insulting tubes slipped upon and enclosing said teeth and heldthereon by said bowed portions.

7 In a device of the class described, the combination of an electrodecomprising a pair of electrode members, supplementary teeth portions onsaid members, said teeth portions being bowed outwardly within theirlengths, a mounting and contact stem for said members, means fasteningsaid members upon said stem and together, and insulating tubeseachclosed at one end and open at the opposite end and slipped upon saidteeth and over said bowed portions.

8. In combination, a metal stem having a reduced outer end, a pair ofmetal electrodes mounted upon said reduced outer end, a nut threadedupon said reduced end and clamping said electrodes together and upon thestem, said electrodes having teeth bowed to form retention means andseparate glass tubes slipped upon said teeth and held by said retentionmeans, said tubes being individually replaceable.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 1st day April,1926.

WILLIAM MEYER.

